IELTS to TOEFL Score Converter
Convert your IELTS band score to a TOEFL iBT equivalent — or reverse convert TOEFL to IELTS — using the official ETS comparison table.
Students frequently need to convert between IELTS and TOEFL scores when applying to universities that list requirements in one format, comparing results across tests, or deciding which exam to take based on a target score. Both tests are accepted at virtually all major universities worldwide, but they differ significantly in format and scoring.
IELTS ↔ TOEFL Score Converter
Complete IELTS to TOEFL iBT Score Comparison Table
The table below covers all mapped IELTS bands with their TOEFL iBT equivalents, CEFR levels, and official IELTS band descriptors. This data is sourced from the official ETS IELTS/TOEFL iBT Score Comparison study.
| IELTS Band | CEFR Level | TOEFL iBT Range | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | C2+ | 118–120 | Expert User |
| 8.5 | C2 | 115–117 | Very Good User |
| 8.0 | C2 | 110–114 | Very Good User |
| 7.5 | C1 | 102–109 | Good User |
| 7.0 | C1 | 94–101 | Good User |
| 6.5 | B2 | 79–93 | Competent User |
| 6.0 | B2 | 60–78 | Competent User |
| 5.5 | B1+ | 46–59 | Modest User |
| 5.0 | B1 | 35–45 | Modest User |
| 4.0 | A2 | 32–34 | Limited User |
Scores below IELTS 4.0 / TOEFL 31 are generally not reported or accepted by universities.
IELTS vs TOEFL Section Score Equivalencies
Both tests assess the same four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — but in different formats and on different scoring scales. Section comparisons are approximate and less reliable than overall score comparisons. Use these as a rough guide only.
Listening
| IELTS Listening | TOEFL Listening (approx) |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 28–30 |
| 8.0 | 25–27 |
| 7.0 | 22–24 |
| 6.0 | 17–21 |
| 5.0 | 9–16 |
IELTS Listening has 40 questions across 4 sections (~30 mins) and includes a range of accents. TOEFL Listening has 3–4 lectures and 2–3 conversations (~41–57 mins) and is entirely academic in register. TOEFL listening is generally considered more demanding in academic vocabulary.
Reading
| IELTS Reading | TOEFL Reading (approx) |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 28–30 |
| 8.0 | 24–27 |
| 7.0 | 19–23 |
| 6.0 | 13–18 |
| 5.0 | 7–12 |
IELTS Academic Reading has 3 long passages with 40 questions (60 mins). TOEFL Reading has 3–4 passages with 10 questions each (~54–72 mins). TOEFL passages are longer and denser; IELTS has a wider variety of question types including True/False/Not Given which many students find challenging.
Writing
| IELTS Writing | TOEFL Writing (approx) |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 28–30 |
| 8.0 | 24–27 |
| 7.0 | 20–23 |
| 6.0 | 17–19 |
| 5.0 | 14–16 |
IELTS Writing Task 1 requires describing a graph, chart, map or process (150 words). TOEFL Integrated Writing requires summarising a lecture that contradicts a reading passage (150–225 words). These are fundamentally different skills. IELTS Task 2 and TOEFL Independent Writing are more comparable — both require argumentative essays.
Speaking
| IELTS Speaking | TOEFL Speaking (approx) |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 25–30 |
| 8.0 | 22–24 |
| 7.0 | 19–21 |
| 6.0 | 14–18 |
| 5.0 | 10–13 |
IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview with a human examiner (11–14 mins). TOEFL Speaking involves 4 tasks recorded via microphone and scored by AI and human raters. Students who are comfortable with human conversation often prefer IELTS Speaking; those who find face-to-face pressure stressful may prefer TOEFL's recorded format.
IELTS or TOEFL — Which Test Is Right for You?
Both tests are accepted by virtually all major universities in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. The right choice depends on your strengths, target institutions, and personal preferences around test format.
| Factor | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Global acceptance | 180+ countries, widely accepted | Accepted globally, dominant at US universities |
| UK visa | IELTS UKVI accepted for UK visas | Not accepted for UK visa applications |
| Speaking format | Live face-to-face interview with examiner | Recorded tasks, no human present |
| Listening | Mixed accents, 4 sections, ~30 mins | Academic focus, 3–4 lectures + conversations, ~57 mins |
| Reading | Wide question variety including T/F/NG | Longer passages, all multiple choice |
| Writing Task 1 | Describe a graph/chart/map (Academic) | Integrate reading + lecture in writing |
| Total test time | ~2h 45min | ~3h (with breaks) |
| Score validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Typical cost | USD $200–260 | USD $180–300 |
| Results timeline | 3–5 days (online), 13 days (paper) | 4–8 days |
| Retake policy | No limit; One Skill Retake available (2023+) | No limit; can retake after 3 days |
Choose IELTS if you...
- Prefer a live face-to-face speaking interview
- Are applying primarily to UK, Australian, or Canadian universities
- Need a score for UK visa (IELTS UKVI only)
- Want a shorter overall test duration (~2h 45min)
- Prefer a wider variety of reading question types
Choose TOEFL if you...
- Prefer a fully computer-based experience throughout
- Feel more comfortable speaking to a microphone than a person
- Are applying primarily to US universities
- Prefer integrated tasks linking reading, listening, and writing
- Want to use TOEFL MyBest Scores to combine section bests
IELTS vs TOEFL Requirements at Top Universities
The table below shows both IELTS and TOEFL minimum requirements for selected top universities. Requirements vary by faculty and program — the figures below are typical minimums for graduate programs.
| University | IELTS Minimum | TOEFL Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIT | 7.0 | 90 | Graduate programs |
| Harvard University | 7.0 | 100 | Varies by school |
| University of Oxford | 7.0–7.5 | 100–110 | Varies by course |
| University of Cambridge | 7.5–8.0 | 100–110 | Varies by course |
| University of Toronto | 6.5 | 89–100 | Varies by program |
| University of Melbourne | 6.5–7.0 | 79–94 | Varies by faculty |
| ETH Zurich | 7.0 | 95 | English-taught programs |
| University of Edinburgh | 6.5–7.0 | 92–100 | Varies by school |
| NYU | 7.0 | 84–100 | Varies by program |